Anyone know if on a year of MLA, do we keep our ID and stay CASS eligible or does the company remove that after 31 days of MLA?

Had a buddy at a regional who kept jumpseat privileges while on extended mil leave. I didn’t figure FedEx would let that happen...

Thanks.

 

After 31 days you will be removed from CASS but can still JS on a company plane

 

FedEx doesn’t.

But I don’t know where they make the cut, though I’d be surprised if it’s more than a year.

B fund contributions will be made after your return, think within a month, but don’t have updated information on that either

 

There is a mil leave guide that should answer most any questions you may have. Look on p.f.c and perhaps the ALPA mil affairs page too. (Sorry, don’t have the link at the moment, but with a little searching it shouldn’t be too hard to find.)

You will be out of CASS.

You may Jumpseat on FedEx planes with coordination with your fleet captain.

You have access to P.F.C while out.

You keep your ID badge while out.

You continue to gain longevity while out.

At one year and longer, you have 90 days to request return to active employment.

Once you request your return, FedEx must start paying you within two weeks, so I suggest requesting return to status exactly two weeks prior to when you want. They must pay you even if they don’t have you scheduled for training yet.

If a bid has closed while you are on MLA, you must be permitted to train to any seat, base, or aircraft that anyone junior to you on that bid held.

FedEx has 90 days after your return to pay you your B fund 8% on your imputed earnings while you were gone.

You must give FedEx a copy of your orders and DD 214 (USERRA requires long term Military leave to “prove” characterization of discharge which is accomplished through the DD214)

It is YOUR option if you wish to have 100% of your vacation paid out (you are not subject to the normal max 60% buy back), or you can request to roll over your vacation to when you return. FedEx makes the roll over hard to find as it has to be done manually, but USERRA requires you to be provided that option. Remember while you are out, you don’t “earn” vacation, so if you take buy out, you will have no vacation when you return.

Anything like Hyatt Legal that you pay by allotment from your paycheck you will make arrangements to pay directly. You will be contacted to set this up.

Long term military leave is a change of status so you can make out of cycle changes to your health care plan, life insurance election, etc. contact EHR if you wish to do so within 30 days of starting MLA.

When you return, you have 3 x your time out on MLA (to a max of 5 years) to make up in arrears any 401(k) contributions. Suggest you do it to the amount required to get the “free” FedEx $500 match—at a minimum. Remember, if you do TSP with the military while on active orders, this TSP contribution amount counts towards your IRS limits. In other words, if you TSP $5000, and 401(k) $15,000, you will be over limit and pay an IRS penalty when you file. For ease, suggest you skip TSP and just 401(k) what you want on return.

Many other nuances, if you have any more specific questions after reading this and looking at the FedEx mil leave guide, post here.

 

Only commenting on USERRA to these two comments:
Documentation: 4312(e) No employer can demand particular documentation.
For best USERRA protection, documentation should demonstrate the following:

(A) the person's application is timely;

(B) the person has not exceeded the service limitations set forth in subsection (a)(2) (except as permitted under subsection (c));[ 5 years without waivers] and

(C) the person's entitlement to the benefits under this chapter has not been terminated pursuant to section 4304. (Need to have served honorably)

(2) Documentation of any matter referred to in paragraph (1) that satisfies regulations prescribed by the Secretary shall satisfy the documentation requirements in such paragraph.


Orders can provide sensitive information (PII/SPI) that potentially one should be careful to share outside normal military lanes.
FedEx can ask but not demand 'orders' or any specific documentation.
A complete and easy USERRA approved document is a letter from the unit themselves that describes you served honorably (to include your USERRA protected return to reemployment time) and the dates.
If one chooses to take 90 days to request reemployment following orders completion, some employers may believe they do not have to count that under USERRA towards your DCP/DBP/etc. "B" plan and "A" plan longevity.

Dear CP,
Your employee I.M.Smith, served honorably with the 'unit name' from (Departure time employee notified employer-to time of return to employer including USERRA allowed reemployment request time)
If have any questions, please contact me at the following email/number.
Signed
I.M. Commanding Officer
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the change of status notes, you have COBRA for up to 24 months while on Military service if one so chooses. An employer can charge the COBRA rate. In my experience, most employees do not use COBRA except for unique family driven medical needs.

 

Thank you all very much for your replies. Great info!

 

I agree with the type of documentation comments above, but still suggest a DD214 because:

1) you can choose the copy that provides less information
2) it’s will draw zero questions, it’s widely recognized, no one will have the least question about the “official ness” of it
3) it characterizes your type of discharge (a required element of the USERRA protections)
4) it shows if the service counts or doesn’t count towards the 5 year limit

 

Regarding offline jumpseats—yes, you will be out of CASS, but this does not mean you can’t jumpseat on ual, delta, aa, etc! You just can’t ride in the cockpit. If they have seats available in the back, you can jumpseat there.

Now, be prepared for the puzzled gate agent look. They are used to people being in CASS, and your photo won’t come up. True story, went to jumpseat on swa while on MLOA, gave company ID and asked for seat in back. While she checked computer I explained she won’t find me in system, but system is for cockpit not cabin. “I can’t let you ride in back for security reasons because you are not in CASS “. Me,”okay, can I buy a seat in back?”, knowing she would say yes (she did) and hoping she would see the error in her logic. Nope, got a manager who was equally confused, but saw the error in logic. A review of their company manuals confirmed what I had explained to them. Get there early....

 

Other/my experiences- Health insurance is company provided for 90 days. After, you have the option of paying for it via a monthly check - same amount normally payroll deducted. They mail you a bill.

JS on FDX - you boarding pass does not have your picture and is replaced with a banner that says “NOT COCKPIT ELIGIBLE”. This is because you are removed from CASS. This caused anxiety on many crewmembers even though I was listed on the release. One FO thought I was testing security protocols - really dug into the FOM.

Removal from CASS also kills KCM privilege.

5 year USERRA limit is being tracked. Beware if doing long orders that are not “excepted or contingency”.

My two cents. Thanks for your service. Good luck and God speed.